HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2010-08-24
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 24, 2010
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town
of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in
Room 130 in said Town of Estes Park on the 24th day of August,
2010.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Trustees Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson,
Koenig, Levine and Miller
Also Attending: Deputy Town Administrator Richardson, Town Attorney
White and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: Town Administrator Halburnt
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
SELF-INSURANCE PRESENTATION.
Dutch Ross/Ross Benefits Consulting provided an overview of self-insurance, including
the need for a third party administrator (TPA) to pay claims, rental of a network such as
Anthem, and hiring a reinsurance provider to cover claims above a set dollar amount,
i.e. claims above $50,000 would be covered by separate insurance. Clients benefit by
taking back control, lower annual premium increases, retain funds during low claim
years to offset high claims, option to create multiple plans, i.e. a basic plan and a rich
plan, and options to limit those insured based on lifestyle choices, i.e. smokers. Clients
hesitate in switching because of the need to set aside additional funds the first couple of
years in the event a high claim year is experienced immediately. He assured the Board
that several similar sized municipalities have moved successfully to self-insurance.
Board comments are summarized: the Town cannot afford double digit increases each
year; could the Town have a combined model that would include self insurance for
medical and full insurance for dental and vision; are municipalities increasing the
employee contribution; and could a Town employee administer the plan.
Mr. Ross stated the Town could chose to have all three benefits covered by self-
insurance or a combination of self and full insurance. The plan would have a specific
stop loss per plan member ($50,000) and an aggregate stop loss for the entire group
($1 million) to provide two levels of protection. Municipalities and especially school
districts are increasing the percentage of premium paid by the employee. He
recommended the Town hire a TPA to administer the plan and assume the risk of claim
errors because the Town is not large enough. Switching to self-insurance would take a
minimum of 60 days.
The Board requested Mr. Ross provided a cost analysis of self-insurance compared to
full insurance for the past few year’s claims and present the information to the Board
during the September 28, 2010 Town Board Study Session. Mr. Ross recommended
the Board share the data and benefits of self-insurance with the employees.
OPEN DISCUSSION.
Economic Development Group.
Trustee Miller suggested the Board develop a council/group to review economic
development options such as new business creation, relocation of businesses, a year-
round tourist economy, and additional affordable housing. Trustee Blackhurst
commented the discussion needs to take a different approach to previous discussions
that have occurred during the past 25 years. He also stated the Town needs to review
the current and potential for commercial property within the valley. Mayor Pinkham
Town Board Study Session – August 24, 2010 – Page 2
recommended the Board have former Larimer County Commissioner Kathay Rennels
provided an overview of options and resources available to Estes Park through her
position at CSU. The Board consensus was to have Kathay Rennels come to an
upcoming study session and provide information on possible economic development
options and requested a list of commercial land available in the valley for review.
Affordable Housing.
Trustee Miller suggested staff provided a fieldtrip to the Fish Hatchery property to
review the possibilities of the area, including an RFP to explore a public/private
partnership to develop the land as affordable housing. Trustee Blackhurst and Chair of
the Estes Park Housing Authority informed the Board of an upcoming needs
assessment to be conducted by EPHA. A review of the Fish Hatchery property would
be premature at this time until the study has been completed.
Fee Waiver Policy.
The Board discussed the possibility of a reduced water tap fee schedule for affordable
housing units to eliminate the fee waiver requests currently heard by the Board and
assessed on a case by case basis. Discussion topics included Enterprise Funds
subsidizing fee reductions or waivers; fee waivers have been funded by General Fund
and not rate payers in the past; the health of the local economy would dictate whether
or not the General Fund could continue to subsidize affordable housing; an economic
analysis to determine appropriate cost of reduced water tap fees; and explore
cooperative effort with sanitation districts to provide reduced sewer tap fees for
affordable housing. Staff would review how other communities are addressing the issue
and how best to move forward.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Deputy Town Administrator Richardson updated the Board on a recent meeting staff
and Mayor Pinkham and Trustee Koenig had with Forever Resorts regarding their
efforts to drop the Holiday Inn flagship. The company has been limited by the flagship
relationship on the type of business that can be brought to the property, and fully
expects an increase in marketing efforts for the property once the relationship has been
terminated.
Attorney White stated the current IGA allows each party to review a substantial change
such as a name change. The IGA is over 20 years old; therefore he suggested the
agreement should be reviewed to determine if the current operations of the property are
appropriate.
NEXT STUDY SESSION AGENDA.
The Board requested staff email the list of open items for the Board to consider for the
next study session.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk